I believe kids shouldn't be taught Shakespeare. They should experience it first by seeing a great production.

I was part of the first generation of girls and women to be educated and go to grammar school even if we didn't have much money. Then that generation went, 'OK, great', and went into medicine or the police, and hit this wall of discrimination from older men who hadn't caught up.

Hollywood is a very small world; the people who matter matter, and the people who don't matter are just like nothing.

Working away from my husband for long periods is good and bad. It stops us taking each other for granted and gives us space, but I miss him terribly.

I believe in meditation - it's a good tool to centre yourself, but unfortunately, I'm too lazy to do it. It's very hard work, and I prefer to watch 'Nothing To Declare' on TV!

I remember thinking, when I was in my early 30s, that this is the best age to be, and I still believe your 30s are a wonderful time.

Nothing is quite so emotional and passionate as what goes on inside of a family. People are driven to distraction by a father or a mother or a husband. Or a child.

I always love working with young actors, because there's always something to learn. It's always exciting to see the next generation and how they approach things and what's great about them and what's not so great about them.

People often ask me whether I prefer theater or film, and the answer is that I prefer the one I'm not doing: The grass is always greener.

What's great in the modern world is that it's becoming easier and easier for people to create without having access to large sums of money. They need access to certain technologies, but the cost is far less than it used to be.

I am British. I love Britain for all its faults and all its virtues. My husband is American and I am largely based in Los Angeles, but whenever someone asks me where home is, I automatically say 'London.'

I am in a fabulously lucky position in that I get to wear beautiful, beautiful gowns for functions, which I can then give back. That way, they're not sitting in my wardrobe with me looking at them and feeling guilty. I love that, and I think when people have a fabulous function to go to, I'd recommend renting.

I've been working every year since I started acting, and I got many awards before I won the Oscar for 'The Queen.'

I can't say 'no' to an interesting role. I always tell my husband, 'That's it, I quit, I've done all I wanted,' and he's just like, 'Yeah, yeah. Sure.'

I am so happy that I didn't have children. Well, you know, because I've had freedom. And I've so loved my freedom.

When I came into the acting profession, it was quite hierarchical. You didn't sit at the same table as the leading actor. Sir Laurence Olivier, Sir John Gielgud... these were very, very intimidating and powerful people.

The poor Oscars - they always get slammed in the press.

When women get great roles in life, they start to get great roles in films and TV. Look at Janet Reno, Madeleine Albright, and Mrs. Thatcher. Because those images are coming at us in life, they are reflected in acting.

With time, everything changes, and there is nothing wrong in that.

I would even love to do a Bengali film if a good offer is made to me.

Anybody cannot be a dancer. A dancer must have a certain posture, gestures, height, behaviour.

Among my classical dances, I loved my 'Mrig Trishna' dance. People should try that on stage. I don't know why they don't. It's beautifully written.

In my constituency, everyone loves Modiji, and it will convert into votes.

When I was at the top, my mother was helping other girls. I thought it was a beautiful gesture and that I should continue it in her name.

When my mother was around, she would insist on celebrating my birthdays.

Pure dance form is not dying.

I don't have any high aims or goals, but I hope to continue my journey of multi-tasking as I have been doing so far as an actor, dancer, and also serving people of the nation.

Money and other tangibles will come and go; they shouldn't be the foundation of your marriage.

Yes, I used to miss my childhood, but I did get a chance to relive it through Esha and Ahaana.

I want to impart my dance, my music: I want to make an institute and teach children.

'Sholay' can and should never be remade. It is a classic, just like 'Mughal-e-Azam.' The magic which the movie created at that time cannot be repeated.

I did a number of films with Amitabh. He was a wonderful costar - totally different from others.

I was never the kind to throw parties for my birthday. I remember how embarrassed I used to be when they'd make me cut a cake on the sets, and the unit would sing 'Happy Birthday.'

I am still attached to my wedding sari and preserve it with care. There are so many little things I have kept as loving mementos of my father and mother.

1 crore is not a small amount. I would never ask for such an amount without knowing the role.

I just want my daughters and their families to be happy.

People assume that they will retire at 60 and die when they are 70. If you can think positive, live a healthy life, listen to your body and follow a regime, then you can live for 100 years, healthy and happy.

It's not that people will vote for me only because I am a Bollywood star.

Shashi Kapoor and Amitabh Bachchan were good dancers.

Spirituality is a great bent of mind. It gives peace and hope to me.

Filmmaking is a gamble.

People are dying to get a National Award... it's a national reputation.

I have great admiration for Atal Bihari Vajapyee.

I am joining BJP, as I feel very close to its ideology.

Darian is a Greek name, and my grandson is definitely going to be a Greek God, just like his grandfather.

I started my career with her. I was supposed to do my first film in Tamil in which she was the other heroine. The film was titled 'Vennira Aadai.' It was a love triangle, with Jayalalithaaji and I playing the hero's two love interests. But the director Sridhar removed me from the film after a few days' shooting.

Jayalalithaaji was not just a politician: she was the messiah of the masses.

They tried to humiliate and cow her down in every way possible, but Jayalalithaaji was unstoppable. With every attack, she became stronger.

The few days that I shot with Jayalalithaaji, I got to observe her very closely. I was very impressed by her grace, beauty, and dignity. She came to the sets with her mother. So did I. She remained aloof on the sets and didn't speak much to anyone.

God has been kind to me, so I really should not be sitting and complaining.